The Hidden Dangers Of Trampoline Parks

On behalf of B. L. Jensen, L.P. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, August 11, 2016.

More and more families in Texas and throughout the country are visiting trampoline parks to celebrate birthdays, have parties or just spend a day out. According to a recent article from NPR, the rising popularity of trampoline parks comes with an increase in injuries.

Emergency Room Visits On The Rise

These so-called safe, padded rooms covered in trampolines beckon youngsters to come and have a good time. However, according to the data collected from the government injury surveillance system, the amount of injuries back in 2010 was 600 and rose to 6,932 in 2014. To put this into perspective, according to the International Association of Trampoline Parks there were an estimated 50 million visits to the ER in North America in just 2015.

The Use Of Trampolines Is Not Recommended

Despite the fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages children from using trampolines, many people still allow their children to play on a trampoline at home. To top it all off, the amount of annual ER trampoline-related injuries remains steady at around 90,000.

However, Kathryn Kasmir, a fellow in pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, states that the concern is that more serious injuries happen at trampoline parks than at home. A staggering 9% of all park injuries had to be hospitalized, whereas only 5% from at home trampoline injuries had to be taken to hospital.

Trampoline Park Injuries Are More Severe

However, injuries sustained at trampoline parks tend to be more severe than those at home. Instead of just sprains and fractures, people were going to the hospital with dislocated limbs, especially in the lower extremities. On the other hand, trampoline injuries at home resulted in more upper extremity and head injuries.

Many parents do not realize the extent or damage that trampoline injuries can cause, or even how frequently they happen, states an emergency medicine physician at Texas Children's Hospital, Katherine Leaming-Van Zandt. Moreover, parents may even have a false sense of security, leaving their children's safety in the hands of park employees.

While it is important for kids to get some exercise and have fun, there is no risk-free activity out there, states Kasmir, make sure you teach your children how to play safe and supervise them yourself. If you decide to join in the fun - be careful - 19% of trampoline park injuries were adults.

Trampoline Park Injury Victims May Pursue Compensation

In some situations, victims of trampoline park injuries may have an avenue of recourse and may be able to pursue compensation with the help of an attorney. At the law offices of B.L. Jensen, we help people pursue compensation through personal injury claims. We offer free consultations.

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